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Learning to drive is an exciting process that once completed, can truly be life changing. That being said, it is not without its’ challenges, of the most significant being the financial aspect, with learner driver costs often on the mind of learners and their parents/guardians. Learner driver insurance is needed for those who are looking to practice driving with a friend, family member or guardian, outside of driving lessons with an approved driving instructor. The alternative to learner driver insurance, is being added as a learner to an existing insurance policy, however this can be quite costly. Whatever route you decide to go down, it’s important to be fully aware of the costs and financial implications of your options.
The cost of learner driver insurance varies widely depending on multiple factors, including the type of policy, the learner’s age, the vehicle, and the duration of coverage. This guide will break down these key cost factors and compare different insurance options to help you find the best and most cost-effective solution for insuring a learner driver.
Get a learner driver insurance quote today!
Learner driver insurance, also known as ‘provisional insurance’, is a temporary insurance policy designed specifically for provisional licence holders who want to practice driving outside of professional lessons with a driving instructor. It provides cover while a learner is driving a private vehicle under supervision, ensuring they are legally allowed to practice on UK roads.
At Collingwood Insurance, we offer two types of learner driver insurance:
These policies provide an alternative to adding a learner to an existing policy, which can often be more expensive and may impact a car owner’s No Claims Bonus*.
If you’re learning to drive outside of lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), you must have learner driver insurance or be added as an additional driver to an existing insurance policy. In the UK, it’s illegal to drive on public roads without valid insurance, even as a provisional licence holder.
Here’s when you are legally required to have a learner driver insurance policy:
You can be added as a named driver on someone else’s car insurance, but this isn’t always the best option. Adding a learner driver to an existing policy can be expensive and might impact the car owner’s No Claims Bonus* in the event of an accident.
Instead, learner driver insurance is a separate policy that allows learners to practice in a car without affecting the owner’s existing insurance.
Several factors can influence and impact of the cost of learner insurance. Understanding these can help you find the most affordable policy:
Younger drivers typically pay higher premiums because they are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. For example, a 17-year-old learner driver will usually face higher insurance costs than a 30-year-old learner driver.
The vehicle’s make, model, and engine size significantly impact insurance premiums. High-performance cars cost more to insure due to their speed and repair costs, which potentially present a higher risk of accidents. On the contrary, cars that have smaller engines and lower repair costs can be cheaper to insure.
There are a number of location factors that can impact the premium price. Where the car is kept overnight matters as for example, a car being in a secure garage can be cheaper to insure than a car kept on a driveway or public street.
In addition to this, urban areas with higher accident rates and theft risks tend to have more expensive insurance costs than quieter areas with lower crime rates.
A short-term learner driver insurance policy might cost more per day, but it allows more flexibility and less long-term commitment. An annual policy, on the other hand, spreads costs over 12 months, often working out cheaper for regular practice.
Learners can choose between:
Comprehensive insurance isn’t always the most expensive—sometimes, it can be cheaper than lower levels of cover.
At Collingwood Insurance, we specialise in flexible and affordable learner driver insurance. Our policies are tailored to suit different needs, ensuring you can practice safely and legally. Whether you need short-term insurance for a few weeks or an annual policy for continuous coverage, our learner insurance offers competitive rates while protecting the car owner’s No Claims Bonus.*
Short-term learner driver insurance is a flexible and cost-effective option for building driving skills.
Annual learner driver insurance is designed for learners who need regular, long-term practice in their own or a family member’s car.
Understanding the cost of learner driver insurance can help learners find the best deal. The price of a learner insurance policy can vary based many different factors, including age, car type, coverage duration, and location. By choosing the right insurance policy for learning to drive, this can lead to significant savings.
At Collingwood Insurance, we provide flexible, affordable policies that let learners practice safely and legally while protecting the car owner’s No Claims Bonus. Get a quote today and start your journey on the road with confidence!
The cost of learner driver insurance varies based on factors such as age, car type, and policy length.
Yes, learner driver insurance is generally cheaper because learners drive under supervision. However, once they pass their test, their premium may increase as they become new, independent drivers.
Yes! Insurance for learner drivers in their own car is available with Collingwood, allowing provisional licence holders to build their No Claims Bonus before passing their test.
Yes, a Collingwood learner driver policy could allow you to use the car for your practical test, provided the policy is still active on the test day as long as Collingwood are notified and the car meets the required standards.
Not if you take out a separate learner driver policy (like Collingwood’s). However, if a learner is added to an existing policy and has an accident, it could impact the car owner’s No Claims Bonus*.
*Terms, conditions and underwriting criteria apply
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